Distance Formula - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Bai Biqing sat on the sofa, upright, gazing at the painting before her, with indistinct conversations buzzing in her ears.

On the surface, Su Yanshi seemed to believe her and dutifully called Li Zhuonan. But Bai Biqing knew clearly that her unprovoked coldness had made the Alpha uneasy. This feeling stemmed from not understanding what she had done wrong to cause her friend to inexplicably pull away.

But Bai Biqing couldn’t speak about it. In truth, the matter had nothing to do with reporting to her agent; she simply didn’t like it. Yet, she couldn’t impose her preferences on Su Yanshi; every little detail in life could trigger her vigilance.

Sincerity or pretense.

She couldn’t ask.

Bai Biqing’s eyes slightly chilled. She reached out, took a utility knife from her toolkit, and placed the tip on the center of the painting. With a slight force from her wrist, she tore the entire canvas to shreds.

She felt no pang of regret, as if she were doing something utterly ordinary.

“Teacher Bai, what’s wrong?”

Bai Biqing glanced sideways. Su Yanshi was quickly walking over, her face filled with distress. She wanted to speak but didn’t know what to say, only able to watch her continue the destruction.

“Yanshi.” Bai Biqing didn’t look at her and stopped her hand movements. “I don’t like this painting anymore. It was a private piece, not suitable for anyone to see anyway. There will be a next one, don’t worry.”

“But you spent a long time painting it,” Su Yanshi whispered.

Bai Biqing suddenly chuckled upon hearing this. “I have a lot of time left, no need to rush for this one. Anything forced, no matter how beautiful, will never be liked.”

She patted the sofa beside her, her tone softening. “Come and sit. What did Li Zhuonan say?”

Su Yanshi sat down, still looking sadly at the painting. She changed the subject: “Nan Ge said he’ll need your cooperation a lot. He also told me I have to join the film crew tomorrow; the production can’t wait any longer.”

“I figured,” Bai Biqing suddenly said.

“What?”

Bai Biqing lowered her head, tore the painting completely, and crumpled it into a ball in her hand. “Your complexion is much better today, and your pheromones have dissipated a lot. Your difficult rut is almost over.”

Su Yanshi slumped onto the sofa. She raised her arm to cover her eyes. “Yeah, but now I have to go to work.”

The Beta accurately tossed the crumpled painting into the trash can, instantly feeling the accumulated gloom in her heart ease considerably.

She picked up the conversation: “For money, think about that.”

Su Yanshi gave a heavy “Mhm,” and suddenly sat up. “You’re right!”

The Alpha’s eyes held a brightness, looking at her intently. She smiled shyly and asked, “Are you still angry?”

Bai Biqing paused, then burst into a laugh. She hummed, shook her head. “Yanshi, I was never angry. Losing control of my emotions and giving you a cold face was my fault. Next time, I will try my best to restrain myself. This matter has nothing to do with you, don’t blame yourself or overthink it.”

“Oh.” Su Yanshi lowered her head, tugging at the hem of her hoodie, and asked again, “Are you still going to paint?”

Bai Biqing thought for a moment and gave a negative answer. “No, I don’t feel like painting. Otherwise, I won’t be satisfied with what I produce. Instead of wasting time, I might as well do something useful.”

Su Yanshi nodded in agreement. She yawned, her face showing undisguised exhaustion.

Bai Biqing remembered where she slept last night and suspected she hadn’t rested well.

She said reassuringly, “It’s normal to feel sleepy after breakfast. You can go back to sleep in a moment. Did you not sleep well?”

But Su Yanshi shook her head. “No, I have a bad habit. I always feel very sleepy the day before I start work, just like now.”

After saying that, she lowered her head sheepishly. “You’re seeing me at my worst.”

Bai Biqing didn’t mind. Instead, she looked at her with interest. “Not at all. Since that’s the case, if you’re tired, go to sleep. I’ll play on my phone next to you.”

Su Yanshi: “Won’t that be too boring?”

“No.” Bai Biqing leaned back on the sofa in a very relaxed posture, letting Su Yanshi know she wouldn’t feel constrained.

Just as she opened her phone, she received a message from the hospital. The doctor asked her to schedule a check-up.

She set it for the afternoon.

Staying for the morning, until Su Yanshi felt a little better before leaving, wouldn’t be too late.

Bai Biqing was idly fiddling with her phone when a steady breathing sound suddenly came from beside her, echoing near her ear, a soft in and out.

The Beta looked over. Su Yanshi was already fast asleep, curled up and looking small, not at all like an Alpha.

Or perhaps, in front of her, she never truly seemed like one.

Bai Biqing moved a little further away, giving Su Yanshi space to turn over. She touched the wound on the back of her neck and pressed down with her fingertip—it still hurt.

But apart from the pain, she felt nothing else.

Fate gave her the right to quit at any time.

But who could bear to?

Bai Biqing quietly stood up and leaned against the balcony door. The wind blowing in from outside stirred her hair, running from her earlobe down to the corner of her mouth. She touched it with the tip of her tongue. Then, as if lost in thought, she rested her head against the glass door, letting her vision be obscured.

Her eyes trembled slightly, and she slowly exhaled. She took out her phone, found Li Zhuonan’s contact, and sent him a message.

Just pack a meal for Yanshi at noon.

Li Zhuonan almost instantly replied: Okay!

Bai Biqing let out a nearly inaudible laugh, then leaned against the door again. She did nothing else, didn’t look at Su Yanshi, just occasionally rubbed her wrist, quietly waiting for noon to arrive.

Their breathing, two intersecting lines, unable to merge.

Time flew by in the blink of an eye. Bai Biqing heard the doorbell, stretched her numb legs, opened the door, and accepted the meal box. The two exchanged the usual pleasantries; the conversation inevitably revolved around a few repeated topics.

Su Yanshi was sleeping too soundly. The noise they intentionally kept low was still considerable, yet she didn’t wake up, instead turning over to continue sleeping.

Bai Biqing placed the meal box on the table, thinking, she really must be dreading work. But she couldn’t escape it.

She sat on the chair and waited for a few minutes. Seeing no reaction, she messaged Su Shang, saying she was coming down shortly.

Bai Biqing straightened her clothes. She walked toward the door, paused with her hand on the doorknob, then took a few steps back. Looking at Su Yanshi’s back, she softly murmured, “Sweet dreams.”

After that, she left without lingering. She still left the painting easel there. She wouldn’t bring it up, and Su Yanshi wouldn’t speak of it first.

She had mentioned her hospital visit to Su Shang that morning, and the latter insisted on coming with her. Having been unable to talk her out of it, Bai Biqing agreed.

As soon as Bai Biqing went downstairs, she saw Su Shang’s dazzling red sports car and Su Shang herself wearing a red body-con dress. She quickly checked the weather.

It was under fifteen degrees. It had been raining the previous two days, and the air was still damp; the coldness set in with every breeze.

“Let’s go. Your big sister is taking you out to have fun today.” Su Shang was stunningly beautiful, with an excellent figure, and she was very outgoing; she had plenty of dates in upscale hotels.

Bai Biqing ignored her dramatics and feigned leaving, startling Su Shang, who immediately jogged over, grabbed her hand, and shook it playfully. “Don’t be like that! Don’t you need to go to the hospital? Hurry up.”

“You know that, too.” Bai Biqing’s tone was much more casual. She disdainfully pulled her hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

Su Shang followed her. “Why!”

Bai Biqing sneered, “Dirty.”

Su Shang: …

“If you find it dirty, don’t sit in the car!”

“Oh, I’ll go downstairs then.”

Su Shang pressed Bai Biqing back into the car again. “My fault, my fault.”

“Teachable indeed.” Bai Biqing replied airily.

Su Shang couldn’t tolerate it anymore. “Bai Biqing, shut up!”

The atmosphere between the two relaxed considerably. They chatted all the way to the hospital. They were very familiar with the place and easily found the consultation room. The doctor had been waiting for them. As soon as Bai Biqing arrived, she was whisked away for the examination.

This time, the check-up was quite thorough, and an hour passed in a flash. By the end, Bai Biqing was too lazy to move anymore.

She leaned against Su Shang, the two resting together, waiting for the results.

Su Shang played with her hair, tilting her head down to ask, “Do you know Su Yanshi is joining a film crew?”

Bai Biqing gave a knowing laugh, the answer self-evident.

“In Shenhai City,” she continued.

Bai Biqing nodded. “And? Your news is very well-informed.”

Su Shang rolled her eyes at her; that wasn’t what she was talking about at all.

“I mean, do you want to go to Shenhai City for fun? I happen to have a program where I want to see some real locations, and don’t you need inspiration? Go travel and you’ll get some,” Su Shang insisted, speaking fiercely. “Are you going or not? Besides, I can find out where Su Yanshi is filming. I’ll create the ‘chance encounter.'”

Shenhai City.

So that’s where she is.

Bai Biqing didn’t immediately agree, instead contemplating. Opportunities must be seized, and appearing legitimately would be better.

“Are you saying yes or no?” Su Shang urged again.

Bai Biqing smiled, her eyes slightly to the side. “I’ll go. It’s a good opportunity to gather some local color and paint.”

And see someone again.

That’s quite good.

Support Distance Formula